John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch

[dateline] Cambrige April 7th: 1786

My things, are yet pretty much in Confusion, and I do not expect to get well settled
till the next Quarter. I find much more, to do here than I expected; it is true that
every persons who chooses, may be idle 3 days in the 6; but every one may also, find
full sufficient employment if he chooses. Mr: Williams's Philosophical Lectures, began,
Tuesday the 28th: of last month; we have already, had four, and shall have another
this day. This alone takes up, between 3 and 4 hours of my time, each day, that he
gives us a Lecture. I am contented with my Situation, as indeed I almost always am,
and if I was { 135 } not obliged to lose so much of my time, in attending to the mere ceremonies here,
I should be still more happy. I have computed that between 5 and 6 hours are taken
up, every day, at Prayers and recitations; but we can't have all things to our will.
So much for myself; now let me assume a better subject. We do not know yet whether
your brother will go immediately to Haverhill, at the beginning of the Vacation, or
wait till the week after;1 to speak as an egoist, I say, the sooner the better; though others would doubtless
have as good a right to say the contrary. I want very much to see Haverhill, but suppose
I shall not till the Summer Vacation.2

In your Last3 you promised, to raise a smile, and I have been expecting it ever since: but there
was one part of your Letter which I could not understand: you talk about raising a
frown, which you cannot do; and as I know you have too much Sense, to pretend to perform
impossibilities, I suppose, that from some mistake, or absence of mind, you put that
word instead of some other.

Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr.

[dateline] London April 8th. 1786

[salute] Dear sir

The Barrel of Cramberries you was so kind as to send me in the fall never reachd me
till this week, oweing to Captain Youngs long passage and being obliged to put into
port to repair the ship, he did not get up to London till about a Week ago. The Cramberries
I believe were very fine by the Appearance of the few which remain; and would have
proved a most acceptable present if they had arrived in season. We are not however
less obliged to you for them, but I would just mention to those who wish to send presents
of this kind to their Friends, that Casks about as large as raison casks, made water
tight, with just water sufficient to cover the cramberry, preserves them best. This
I found by a cask of that kind which col Smiths Friends sent him, and which were as
fine as if they had just been gatherd. Captain Lyde has a cask of Split peas on Board
addrest to you. If you will be so good as to send Mrs Cranch a peck of them, and accept
the remainder, you will do me a favour.

I wish Sir I could give you a pleasing account of affairs here, as they respect America
but the reluctance which the States Shew to give Congress powers to regulate commerce,
is to this nation a most agreeable event. They hold it up as a proof that a union
of counsels is not to be expected, and treat with contempt the Authority and measures
of the different States. There have been however some motions lately, within a few
days past, and mr Pitt has requested that an other project of a Treaty might be offerd.
It was agreed to, and is now before the Cabinet, but whether any thing is meant to
be done, time only can unfold.1 You will see by the publick papers that mr Pitt's Surpluss, is much doubted, and
it is Said that the Mountain is in Labour, whilst the people are trembling through
fear of new burdens.2

Letters have been received from Mr Randle at Madrid. He and his principal expected
to arrive in Algiers some time in March.3 From mr Barclay, no intelligence has yet come. The embassy of these Gentleman may
serve this good purpose, the terms of each Barbery State may be learnt. Congress may
then compare them, With those transmitted to them from hence. But the Sum required
is so much beyond the Idea of our Countrymen that I fear they hazard a War rather
than agree to pay it. They will I hope count the cost of a war first, and consider
that afterwards they must pay them a larger Subsidy. Portugal is treating with them
and they will soon be at Peace with all other powers and at Liberty to prey upon us.
The Tropoline minister who is here, and with whom mr Adams has had several conferences,
appears a Benevolent sedate Man. He declares his own abhorrence of the cruel custom
of making Slaves of their prisoners. But he says, it is the law of their great Prophet
that all christian Nations shall acknowledge their power, and as he cannot alter their
Law, he wishes by a perpetual Peace with the Americans to prevent the opperation of
it. He swore by his Beard that nothing was nearer his Heart, than a speedy settlement
with America, which he considerd as a great Nation, and a people who had been much
oppresst and that the terms which he had mentiond were by one half the lowest which
had ever been tenderd to any nation. He could answer for Tunis also, and he believed
for the other powers with whom the Tripolines had great interests. He said that Spain
could not get a Peace with Algiers, untill, tripoli interposed, and he was willing
and ready to do every thing in his power to promote a Peace. Every circumstance has
been transmitted to Congress, and they must determine.

You will however Sir mention this only to particular Friends, as the Tropoline has
been cautious to keep all his transactions from this People, would never have the
english interpretor which is allowd by this Court, present.

Be so good as to present my Duty to my Aunt from whom I received a kind letter,4 and to whom I design soon to write. Regards to the two mr Smiths. Love to cousin
Betsy mrs Otis Mrs Welch, and all other Friends. I am dear Sir affectionately Yours

[signed] A Adams

My daughter thanks you for your kind mention of her in your Letter and presents her
duty to you and her Aunt.

1. On 4 April, JA and Thomas Jefferson submitted a new draft of a treaty of commerce with Great Britain
to Lord Carmarthen (PRO: F.O. 4, vol. 4). Carmarthen and William Pitt had requested the revised project after
suggesting that earlier proposals had contained political items not appropriate to
a commercial treaty. JA and Jefferson were attempting to expedite negotiations in advance of 12 May, when
their commissions to negotiate the treaty would expire. For additional information
on the submission of the commercial articles, see American Commissioners to John Jay,
25 April (Jefferson, Papers, 9:406–407).

2. The London newspapers contained extensive coverage of Pitt's report on the budget,
which purported a surplus for the year. Some in Parliament disbelieved Pitt's figures
and speculated that “both the Minister and the Public would find themselves much mistaken
in the calculation made, and that something different from a surplus will turn out
to be the case at length” (London Chronicle, 25–28 March). Several also suggested that the proposed budget was irresponsible
in its expenditures and that “the public were in a state of actual oppression” due
to the government's profligate spending (London General Evening Post, 6–8 April).

3. Paul Randall wrote JA on 17 and 25 Feb. (both Adams Papers) from Barcelona, where he and John Lamb would embark for Algiers. The pair arrived
at Algiers on 25 March (John Lamb to William Carmichael, [26 March], FC, Adams Papers).